Money rolling in to city council campaigns

TAMPA — June’s fund-raising reports for the current crop of Tampa City Council candidates shows District 6 candidate Jackie Toledo leading the way, having raised more than $42,600 since declaring her candidacy in March.

The bulk of that money came in the first two months of her candidacy. She raised about $5,000 each in both May and June, according to records at the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office.

Toledo’s total puts her just ahead of incumbent Councilwoman Yvonne Yolie Capin, who reported raising $41,590 after her first fund-raiser last month hosted by Ybor City restaurant owner Richard Gonzmart.

With council elections still nearly nine months away, all seven council seats have at least one person seeking them. Three of the seven sitting council members -- Capin, Mike Suarez and Frank Reddick -- have officially filed to run for re-election.

Suarez, in District 1, is the only sitting council member who remains unopposed.

Reddick has yet to report any fund-raising results. As has Paul Erni, who is running against Capin in at-large District 3.

Councilman Harry Cohen and Councilwoman Lisa Montelione have said they intend to run but haven’t filed yet. Council Chairman Charlie Miranda, who is term-limited in his current District 6 seat, has said he may run for the at-large District 2 seat now held by Mary Mulhern.

Mulhern is term-limited as well. She dropped a run for Hillsborough County Commission earlier this year citing health concerns.

In the wide-open race to replace Miranda in District 6, which predominantly covers West Tampa, Toledo has raised more money than her two competitors -- Guido Maniscalco and Thomas Castellano -- combined. As of the end of June, Castellano had raised $17,185. Maniscalco reported raising a total of $13,640. Marisol Blanco has withdrawn from the race.

Across the board, candidates have been spending little of what they’ve taken in. Collectively, they’ve raised $135,535 in cash contributions and spent $11,665.